Topic: Corporate power
Gates Foundation’s rose-coloured world view not supported by evidence
Article / 21st April 2017For all its candor and color, here is what the annual Gates letter doesn’t tell you: that our global economic system is designed in such a way as to channel our planet’s wealth into the hands of a tiny elite. And changing that system at its root would require those with power to dismantle the very machine that created their privilege, writes Martin Kirk and Jason Hickel.
Corporate influence on the G20
Report / 24th March 2017Take a closer look behind the flowery language, and it reveals that corporate influence on the G20 discourse entails considerable risks and side-effects. It's time to the imbalances in G20 policies, and the double standards in its openness towards business and civil society - for which substantial reforms are necessary. A new report by Jens Marten for Heinrich Böll Stiftung and Global Policy Forum.
Social justice for the sustainability of life: on the need for a global social pact
Article / 24th March 2017We now need transformative policies able to open a new horizon, without poverty, with less inequality, without destroying our natural environment. Our new situation requires an urgent reflection on power relations and concrete alternatives, central to which is the reconceptualisation of social protection in terms of commons.
Women rights without borders: Combatting inequalities within and among countries is key to women’s empowerment
Report / 16th March 2017Women’s rights advocates have for years pointed out the negative impacts of inequalities on women’s human rights, on economies and on societies. Many organisations are not only analysing the cross-border impacts of domestic policy, but also showing the universality of human rights - to ensure that women’s rights know no borders. A new report by Barbara Adams and Karen Judd of Global Policy Watch.
Ecuador revives campaign for UN tax body
Article / 3rd March 2017The Republic of Ecuador, currently chair of the largest single coalition of developing countries at the United Nations, is reviving a longstanding campaign for the creation of an inter-governmental UN tax body and the elimination of tax havens and illicit financial flows.
10 economic myths we need to junk
Article / 6th February 2017Since the financial crash of 2008, followers of mainstream economic dogma haven't changed their tune much. But an ever-growing legion of dissenting economists are challenging these cherished myths, as summarised by the New Internationalist in a classic edition of the magazine from December 2015.
A viable billionaire tax?
Report / 27th January 2017A new paper makes the case that a global billionaire tax is ethical, good for growth, and could solve a lot of the world’s problems - and what’s more, it’s politically viable, explains Josh Hoxie.
Aid in reverse: how poor countries develop rich countries
Article / 20th January 2017New research on global financial flows shows that the usual development narrative has it backwards; aid is effectively flowing in reverse. And some of the very countries that so love to tout their foreign aid contributions are the ones enabling mass theft from developing countries, argues Jason Hickel.
One-percenters, pay your taxes
Article / 20th January 2017Is there anything that the world's corporations can do about the scourge of inequality? The answer is yes, but it means rewriting the economic rules - for the only sustainable prosperity is shared prosperity, writes Joseph E. Stiglitz.
The scourge of inequality: There can be no peace or freedom while it persists
Article / 18th January 2017What we are witnessing in South Africa and around the world is an inequality emergency, and the solutions require all of us to listen to the most marginalised and co-operate with all. Once again we need to follow the inspiration of our young people, and work towards building a mass social movement that fights for economic transformation, writes Jay Naidoo.